Moving stairway or sideway cleaning device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an improved cleaning device for moving stairways or sidewalks that is characterized in that it comprises in addition to its cleaning head ( 7 ) an off-set support leg ( 13 ). The cleaning device is further provided with a gripper, guide, steering and/or control device ( 3 ) that comes to rest above the support ( 16 ) of the support leg ( 13 ), and/or the cleaning head can be swiveled by 180° with respect to its operative position and/or the cleaning device is further provided with a strip-shaped broom device ( 41 ) that has the function of a sealing strip for a suction strip ( 23 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a moving stairway and moving walkway cleaning appliance according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Moving walkways are frequently used in airports in order to convey passengers over relatively large distances on a single level or in a gently sloping manner from one story to the next.

[0003] However, the cleaning of such moving walkways, but in particular also the cleaning of moving stairways, gives rise to extremely difficult problems.

[0004] For example, the moving stairways, but also the moving walkways, of different manufacturers are distinguished by different web and groove widths, the dirt, of course, collecting in particular in the grooves of the ribbed moving floor panels. In addition, the groove depths also differ between the various manufacturers.

[0005] A proposal has thus already been made for a cleaning appliance for moving stairways and moving walkways which, in particular in the case of a moving stairway, is moved in onto the starting region or end region, at which the moving-stairway elements, while on the move, still run out horizontally. In this situation, the appliance remains fixed, that is to say it is still supported on the floor in a standing position in front of the actual moving stairway, the moving stairway being cleaned by means of the cleaning and treatment head as it moves beneath the latter.

[0006] If the appliance is to be used for cleaning a moving stairway or a moving walkway of a different manufacturer, then it is necessary to exchange adapter strips, which are provided with projecting fingers which are adapted to the groove and web width and/or groove depth of the moving-stairway elements of the relevant manufacturer. This is because it is necessary, during the cleaning operation, to ensure, by virtue of such elements engaging in the grooves of the moving-stairway elements, that, during the suction-removal operation, an appropriate negative pressure is produced in order for it to be possible for the dirt actually to be sucked out of the channels and grooves.

[0007] The object of the present invention, in contrast, is to provide an improved moving stairway and moving walkway cleaning appliance.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention in accordance with the features specified in claims 1, 8, 12 and 15.

[0009] Advantageous configurations of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0010] The cleaning appliance according to the invention has numerous surprising features which are completely novel in relation to the prior art of the art and even on their own, but in particular in combination, provide considerable improvements during the cleaning operation.

[0011] The cleaning appliance according to the invention is distinguished first of all in that it has a supporting foot which is offset in relation to the cleaning head, with the result that, via said supporting foot, the cleaning head of the cleaning appliance can be raised or lowered by virtue of pressure being exerted on a handle. By virtue of this configuration, the cleaning appliance according to the invention is designed such that it can “walk” from step to step of a moving stairway.

[0012] In an alternative or supplementary embodiment, the cleaning appliance is also distinguished by a particular brush strips, which make is possible, irrespective of the manufacturer-specific profile on the moving-stairway or moving-walkway elements, to produce a sealing function in order to maintain a defined suction stream.

[0013] It appears to be particularly advantageous, in an alternative and/or supplementary configuration of the invention, that the cleaning appliance according to the invention can be used to clean not just the horizontal standing surfaces of the moving-stairway elements, but likewise also the essentially vertically oriented end sides of the moving-stairway elements as far as the next tread surface. For this purpose, it is provided according to the invention that the cleaning head can be rotated through 180°, as a result of which the suction strip and the brush strips provided according to the invention end up located in each case on the other side of the rotating cleaning elements. This makes it possible to realize an optimum suction and cleaning effect.

[0014] The advantages of the appliance according to the invention and of the individual practical variants of the appliance which are possible may be summarized as follows:

[0015] Particularly arranged brush strips, which make it possible, irrespective of the profile of the individual moving-stairway manufacturers, to produce a sealing function and thus form a defined suction stream.

[0016] The suction nozzle and covering of the rotating roller brush are configured by way of particular kinematics such that, irrespective of step heights or length of the tread surface or of the essentially vertically extending end side of a step, they are always adapted precisely.

[0017] Configuration of the support, which allows a quick and straightforward ascent and descent on the moving stairway and lateral displacement, all this with only a low level of force being applied.

[0018] The advantages in relation to the systems known from the prior art may be summarized here as follows:

[0019] Treatment of moving walkways (rolling conveyors) and moving stairways. More or less 100% of the tread and end sides are covered.

[0020] Individual treatment of each of the steps depending on the degree of soiling (important since there are usually very marked differences in the degree to which the individual steps are soiled.

[0021] Straightforward low-maintenance construction; ease of servicing by virtue of good accessibility.

[0022] In addition to the advantages resulting from the steam cleaning (better detachment of the dirt as a result of high temperatures; there is also no risk of too much liquid penetrating into the moving stairway and thus causing damage.

[0023] Small lightweight unit; no transporting problems. Low cost.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the appliance according to the invention may briefly be described as follows:

[0025] The cleaning appliance according to the invention is a hand-guided appliance for cleaning moving stairways and moving walkways. A so-called shaft presses down via a support, with rollers, on the tread surfaces of the objects which are to be cleaned, in order thus to make a rocking movement possible. Located at the top end is a height- and angle-adjustable steering unit, from which the unit is guided, the supply of steam is regulated and the drive motor is controlled. Located, on a shaft, at the end resting on the floor are two rotating roller brushes which, with steam being supplied, conveys the dirt from the grooves of the steps to the nozzles located behind the roller brushes as seen in the direction of rotation. The direction of rotation of the roller brushes is selected such that the dirt detached is conveyed away from the sensitive open edge (which is produced, in the case of moving stairways, between the individual steps which can be moved in relation to one another). Via these nozzles, the dirt is removed by suction through a hose into a “suction-type steam cleaner”.

[0026] Actuation of a hand lever which can be reached from the steering unit makes it possible to pivot the unit, which is mounted on a central tube, through 180°, in order thus to be ready for use for the “end surfaces” of the stairway. There is also once again the need here, then, for the dirt not to pass into the open edges.

[0027] The operation allowed by the novel solution of the cleaning appliance according to the invention may be described in a preferred embodiment as follows:

[0028] Once the cleaning appliance according to the invention has been plugged to the mains voltage and the steam-supply means and waste-air hose have been plugged on, the cleaning appliance is moved very easily from beneath onto the stationary moving stairway, where the first step is dealt with. The roller brushes is set down in the vicinity of the side walls and switched on, and cleaning takes place by the virtue of the unit being pulled back and forward. In addition to the small rollers fitted in the longitudinal direction of the machine, lateral-displacement rollers are also fitted. By virtue of the cleaning appliance being tilted rearward, these come into engagement and the unit can thus be shifted laterally in order to treat the surfaces which have not yet been cleaned.

[0029] It is recommended, then, first of all to clean all the tread surfaces of the stairway (from bottom to top) and only then all the end surfaces (from top to bottom).

[0030] For this purpose, then, the cleaning appliance is pivoted downward, by the steering unit, to a pronounced extent and pushed forward in order thus to pass onto the next step and to clean further. The ascending movement will be limited after approximately 12-15 steps since the hose and cable lengths predetermine the radius of action. In order then to clean the end surfaces and descend to the starting point again, a lever, which can be reached from the steering unit, is then used to pivot the entire cleaning head through 180° in order then to “descend” again step by step. The moving stairway is then moved on by the cleaned region, with the result that the next 12-15 steps can be reached.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to exemplary embodiments, in which, specifically:

[0032]FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of the cleaning appliance according to the invention;

[0033]FIG. 2 shows an enlarged lateral illustration, in detail form, of the cleaning appliance according to the invention (with the same modifications in relation to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1);

[0034]FIG. 3 shows a front view of the cleaning appliance according to the invention;

[0035]FIG. 4 shows an enlarged illustration, in detail form, of a front view of the cleaning head;

[0036]FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the cleaning head;

[0037]FIG. 6 shows a lateral illustration of the cleaning appliance according to the invention during use on a moving stairway as the tread surface of a moving-stairway element is cleaned;

[0038]FIG. 7 shows a corresponding illustration at the beginning of the operation of cleaning the forwardly oriented, essentially vertically rising end wall of the next moving-stairway element up;

[0039]FIG. 7a shows an enlarged illustration, in detail form, of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7;

[0040]FIG. 8 shows an illustration, corresponding to FIG. 7, during the cleaning operation just before the top tread surface of the next moving-stairway element is reached; and

[0041]FIG. 8a shows an enlarged illustration, in detail form, of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8.

[0042] Reference will be made hereinbelow to FIGS. 1 to 4, which will be used to explain the basic construction of the cleaning appliance.

[0043] The cleaning appliance comprises a so-called shaft 1 with a handle 3, which is also referred to hereinbelow as a guiding and/or actuating device 5.

[0044] As can be seen from the lateral illustration according to FIG. 1 in particular, the cleaning appliance also comprises a cleaning head 7, which is located at the bottom and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, has a roller-brush device 9 which rotates about a horizontal axis and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, comprises two roller brushes 9′ seated one beside the other in axial extension of one another.

[0045] Accommodated above the actual cleaning head 7 are further operating devices and subassemblies 11, for example a motor for driving the roller-brush device 9, and possibly a dirt-collecting container for accommodating the dirt including the dirty water and/or used cleaning liquid permeated with particles of dirt.

[0046] It is possible for the drive power or the cleaning agents or liquids to be accommodated in the hand-guided appliance or to be supplied, for example, by way of connection hoses or lines (not illustrated specifically) in order for as compact a cleaning appliance as possible to be provided. Instead of an integrated dirt-collecting container, however, it is also possible to provide a suction-removal hose, with the result that a negative pressure for removing the particles of dirt by suction can be produced by an externally connected pump via the connected suction hose, by way of a suction strip which will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow.

[0047] It can also be seen from FIG. 1 that the cleaning appliance, in side view, is of longitudinally elongate, or at least essentially longitudinally elongate, construction from the cleaning head 7 to the top handle 3. The appliance further comprises a supporting-foot device 13 with a supporting foot 13′ via which the shaft-like cleaning appliance is additionally supported on the floor 15. The supporting-foot device 13 here can be pivoted about a horizontal axis 17 and can be adjusted, via an arresting device 19, to different angle positions in relation to the direction of the longitudinal extent of the cleaning appliance.

[0048] The supporting-foot device 13, in addition, has at the bottom, in the exemplary embodiment shown, two lateral rollers 21 in order for it to be possible for the cleaning appliance to be displaced more easily in the mobile position.

[0049] Provided in the region of the cleaning head, directly following the roller-brush device 9, in the illustration according to FIGS. 1 and 2, is a suction strip 23, which extends over the entire width of the cleaning appliance, that is to say over the entire width of the roller-brush device 9, in order for it to be possible for corresponding particles of dirt to be sucked up thereby.

[0050] The slit-like outlet opening 23′ serves, at the same time, as a slide 25. For this purpose, the outlet opening 23′ is located on the cleaning head 7 at a height which, in accordance with the illustration according to FIG. 2, ensures, and allows, that the bristles of the roller brushes 9′, 9″ can engage as far as the base 27 in the longitudinal grooves 29 between the longitudinal ribs 33 extending as far as the top edge 31 of the moving stairway or moving walkway.

[0051] If required, it is possible as an alternative, or in addition, to provide a further supporting device 35 in order further to absorb and support the weight of the cleaning appliance in the region of the roller-brush device. This additional supporting device may comprise, for example, slides 35 which are arranged at least on the outer end sides alongside the roller brushes 9′, and of which the triangular shape can be seen in lateral illustration in FIG. 1. The width of these slides 35 is dimensioned such that they cannot penetrate into corresponding longitudinal grooves 29 between two longitudinal ribs 33.

[0052] Furthermore, it is also possible, if required, to provide a further, leading slide 37, for example in the form of a tubular body 37′ of small dimensions, via which the cleaning head further rests, and is supported, on the side 31 of the longitudinal ribs 33 of the moving stairway or moving walkway.

[0053] It can also be seen with reference to FIG. 2 in particular that there is provided, in the exemplary embodiment shown, a particular brush-strip arrangement 41 with two different brush strips 41′ and 41″, this being arranged opposite to the roller-brush device 9 in relation to the suction strip 23.

[0054] The brush strips 41 and 41″, which extend over the entire width of the cleaning appliance, are equipped, for example, with bristles of different length. This ensures a sufficiently good sealing function to ensure a sufficient negative pressure between the rotating roller brush 9 and the brush-strip device 41, in order thus for it to be possible for the swirled-up dirt to be removed by suction via the suction strip 23.

[0055] As is also shown hereinbelow, the suction strip 23 and/or the brush-strip device 41 are/is retained such that they/it can still be pivoted via a kinematic guiding and pivoting mechanism.

[0056] Provided for this purpose, furthermore, is a pivot guide 42, via which the suction strip (23) and the bristle-strip arrangement (41) is retained. It can be seen from the perspective illustration according to FIG. 5 that this pivot guide comprises a lateral-surface cutout of a cylinder guide 42′ and an inner end side 42″ which is in the form of part of a circle and has the shaft 9 a, bearing the corresponding roller brush 9′, passing through it. In the case of the illustration according to FIG. 5, only the left-hand roller brush is depicted in the mounted state, the roller brush having been omitted on the right-hand side, with the result that the shaft stub 9 a is visible. It is thus possible for the suction strip 23 and the brush-strip arrangement 41 to be pivoted about the axis formed by the shaft stub 9 a.

[0057] It can also be seen from the illustration according to FIG. 5 that additionally arranged between the two roller brushes 9′, which are seated axially one beside the other, is a further slide 36, which, in the normal operating situation, rests on the top side 31 of the ribs on the top side of the moving stairway or moving walkway.

[0058] Finally, it can also be seen from FIG. 5 that, on its top side, the roller-brush device 9 is overlapped, and protected, by approximately semicylindrical coverings 44 which, at the same time, also constitutes the pivot guide 42.

[0059] The rest of the (functional) operations are discussed hereinbelow.

[0060] For cleaning moving walkways, the appliance, in accordance with the illustration according to FIG. 1, can be moved onto the moving walkway, the appliance being moved slowly over the moving walkway (for example with the latter at a standstill). In this case, the cleaning head rests on the one or more sliding devices and is advanced slowly. On the trailing side, the appliance is supported via the supporting-foot device 13, by way of the rollers 21 provided.

[0061] If the appliance is also to be displaced from left to right, for example, on a particularly wide moving walkway, then the entire appliance can be gripped by the handle 3 at the top and pressed downward, this resulting in a rocking movement of the appliance as a whole, with the cleaning head 7 being raised from the floor surface. It is possible here for the rocking movement to be executed until the trailing rollers 45 shown in FIG. 1, of which the axis of rotation are oriented through 90° in relation to the actual running rollers 21, rests on the floor. The appliance can thus easily be pushed back and forth in the transverse direction.

[0062] During the cleaning operation, the roller-brush device 9 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, with the result that the particles of dirt in the longitudinal grooves 29 are conveyed in the direction of the suction strip 23. At the same time, particles of dirt are also moved forward by way of the trailing brush strips and, simultaneously, the desired negative pressure is also maintained in order to optimize the suction-removal operation. If lateral sliding elements are provided adjacent to the end sides of the roller brushes 9′, 9″, it is possible for these to extend rearward to such an extent that the suction removal space in front of the suction strip 23 also has an additional sealing function toward the side.

[0063] The operation for cleaning a moving stairway is discussed hereinbelow.

[0064] Once the machine has been plugged to the mains voltage (if an integrated battery is not used) and the cleaning-supply means, for example a steam-supply means, has been plugged on and the waste-air hose (which is connected to the suction strip) has been connected, the cleaning appliance is moved very easily from beneath onto the stationary moving stairway, where the first step is dealt with. The roller brushes 9 are set down in the vicinity of the side walls and switched on. The cleaning takes place by virtue of the unit being pulled back and forward. By virtue of the appliance being tilted rearward, the above-mentioned transverse rollers 45 come into engagement again with the floor surface, with the result that the appliance, if required, can be displaced from left to right in order to clean the moving-stairway step correspondingly over the entire width.

[0065] In order to ascend the next step of the stairway, the cleaning appliance is pivoted about its supporting foot again by virtue of the handle 3 being gripped, and the shaft-like arrangement being pivoted downward, until the cleaning head ends up located above the level of the next step of the moving stairway, in order then for the entire appliance to be displaced forward via its running roller 21 and for the cleaning head to be lowered onto the next floor surface of a moving-stairway element. This moving-stairway step is then cleaned.

[0066] Thereafter, the adjacent, forwardly oriented end wall 47 of the next moving-stairway element up is cleaned, which is possible for the first time by the appliance according to the invention.

[0067] For this purpose, a pivoting lever 49 (FIG. 4) is actuated, once the treatment head 7 has been raised off from the floor surface again beforehand, a rocking movement being executed in the process. As a result, the entire cleaning head is rotated through 180° about a pivot axis bearing it, so that the brush strip and the suction strip, rather than being located any longer on the right, as in the lateral illustration according to FIG. 2, is located on the left, as is shown in FIGS. 6 to 7 a. This is followed by the commencement of the cleaning operation right in the corner region between the moving-stairway step located therebeneath and the adjacent end wall 47 of the next moving-stairway step up, in which case, with a pivoting movement being executed (pressure being exerted on the handle 3), there is the tilting movement about the supporting foot 13′ and, in the process, the roller-brush device 9 brushes over the vertical end wall 47 of the higher moving-stairway step, and the dirt located there is removed by suction via the suction strip 23.

[0068] Once the cleaning operation has been completed, the cleaning head 7 is adjusted back again, through 180°, into its starting position, in order to clean the floor surface of the next moving-stairway step up. Once the cleaning head has been set down, the supporting foot is then raised upward, with the result that the supporting foot can likewise be set down again on the next moving-stairway step up, albeit one which is always at a lower level than the cleaning head.

[0069] In this way, it is possible for all the steps to be cleaned one after the other. The only limitation in this respect is created by the length of the connection cables, in particular of the power cables, and of the possibly provided feed lines for cleaning agents, in particular the abovementioned steam line around, for example, a connected suction line.

[0070] In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown, it is also possible to have an at least semiautomatic appliance in the case of which the treatment head can be raised and lowered, for example, automatically. This also allows the treatment head, as has been explained, in the raised position to be turned through 180°, if required, and then lowered again. Such an embodiment as well as the other examples are not restricted either to a hand-actuated appliance or to a moving stairway or moving walkway cleaning appliance. All the design principles described can be used alone or together for any cleaning machines. 

1. Cleaning appliance, in particular for moving stairways and moving walkways, having the following features: with a cleaning head (7) with a rotating floor-treatment device (9), preferably in the form of one or two roller brushes (9; 9′; 9″) seated axially one beside the other, preferably with at least one suction strip (23), which is arranged adjacent to the floor-treatment device (9), and preferably a shielding device, which is also located adjacent thereto and extends at least part of the way to the floor surface, with a supporting-foot device which is offset in relation to the cleaning head (7), with a gripping, guiding, steering and/or controlling device (3), which ends up located above the support (16, 17) of the supporting-foot device (13), characterized by the following further features: the supporting-foot device (13) has further rollers (45), which are oriented with their running surface in the direction transverse to the cleaning appliance and are arranged such that the cleaning appliance can be displaced in the transverse direction.
 2. Cleaning appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, by virtue of compressive forces being introduced into the gripping, guiding, steering and/or controlling device (3), the cleaning appliance can be tilted about the supporting-foot device (13) resting on the floor, such that the cleaning head (7) can be raised and lowered.
 3. Cleaning appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supporting-foot device (13) is provided, at the bottom, with a roller or sliding device (21), preferably with rollers (21).
 4. Cleaning appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that sliding and/or rolling devices are provided in the region of the cleaning head (7).
 5. Cleaning appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the sliding and/or rolling devices provided in the region of the cleaning head (7) are arranged such that the bristles of the rotating brush device (9) project sufficiently downward beyond the sliding or rolling surfaces.
 6. Cleaning appliance according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the rolling and/or sliding devices (25, 35, 37) in the region of the cleaning head (7) are arranged, in relation to the position and length of the rotating roller-brush device (9), such that the free ends of the rotating roller-brush device (9) extend as far as the base (27) of the longitudinal grooves (29) of a moving-stairway or moving-walkway element (31).
 7. Cleaning appliance according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that provided in the region of the cleaning head (7) is a leading sliding device (37, 37′; 36) which extends, at least in part, in the width direction of the cleaning appliance and has the rotating roller-brush device (9) projecting beyond it in the direction of the floor surface.
 8. Cleaning appliance according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that provided on the mutually opposite outer end sides of the roller-brush device (9) are lateral sliding devices (35) which have the rotating roller-brush device (9) projecting beyond them in the direction of the floor surface.
 9. Cleaning appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the suction strip (23) has an outlet opening (23′) which is configured as a sliding device.
 10. Cleaning appliance according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the outlet opening (23′) of the suction strip (23) terminates at such a vertical position relative to the cleaning head (7) that the bristles of the rolling-brush device (9) project beyond the suction strip (23) to a sufficient extent in the direction of the floor surface.
 11. Cleaning appliance, in particular for moving stairways and moving walkways, having the following features: with a cleaning head (7) with a rotating floor-treatment device (9), preferably in the form of one or two roller brushes (9; 9′; 9″) seated axially one beside the other, preferably with at least one suction strip (23), which is arranged adjacent to the floor-treatment device (9), and preferably a shielding device, which is also located adjacent thereto and extends at least part of the way to the floor surface, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that provided parallel to the suction strip (23), located opposite to the rotating roller-brush device (9), is a brush-strip device (41) which is in the manner of a sealing strip and projects beyond the outlet opening (23) of the suction strip (23) in the direction of the floor surface.
 12. Cleaning appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that the brush-strip device (41) has bristles which are of such a length that they extend as far as the groove base (27) of a moving-stairway or moving-walkway element provided with longitudinal ribs (29).
 13. Cleaning appliance according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the brush-strip device (41) comprises at least two offset brush-strip arrangements (41′, 41″), which are oriented differently and/or are of different length dimensions.
 14. Cleaning appliance, in particular for moving stairways and moving walkways, with a cleaning head (7) with a rotating floor-treatment device (9), preferably in the form of one or two roller brushes (9; 9′; 9″) seated axially one beside the other, and preferably with at least one suction strip (23), which is arranged adjacent to the floor-treatment device (9), and preferably a shielding device, which is also located adjacent thereto and extends at least part of the way to the floor surface, it being possible for the cleaning head (7) to be rotated through 180°, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the orientation and relative positioning of the suction strip (23) and/or of the brush-strip device (41) can be automatically adjusted, in particular pivoted, to follow the profile of the cleaning surface, in particular of the end-wall side (47) of a moving-stairway element which is to be cleaned.
 15. Cleaning appliance according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cleaning head (7) has at least two treatment positions, namely a first functional position, in which the suction strip (73) and the brush-strip device (41) end up following the rotating roller-brush device (9), and a second functional position, in which the suction strip (23) and the brush-strip device (41), which still precedes the suction strip, end up preceding the rotating roller-brush device (9).
 16. Cleaning appliance according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that there is provided a pivot guide (42) via which the suction strip (23) and/or the brush-strip device (41) can be pivoted about an axis which preferably coincides with the drive axis of the roller-brush device (9). 